Lions Getting Back on Track

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's lacrosse (10-1, 1-1
Big Ten) is keen to get back to its winning ways this weekend at Johns Hopkins
(6-4, 1-1 Big Ten). Despite falling to Maryland (7-2, 2-0 Big Ten) last
Saturday, the Nittany Lions have learned a lot from their first, and only, loss
of the season.

"I'm not sure we reserved enough preparation and confidence
during the week of practice leading up to the Maryland game to get us over the
hump," head coach Jeff Tambroni said. "Maryland is a good team, we certainly
learned that over the course of the day, and it always felt like we were coming
from behind, which is a challenging venture."

Tambroni noted the Nittany Lions could have done better in a
few areas, namely ground balls. The Nittany Lions picked up only 16 ground
balls against the Terrapins, compared to Maryland's 34. The previous week, Penn
State picked up 34 in its first Big Ten win of the season against Ohio State.

Tambroni said he felt his team had also been extremely
focused before facing the Buckeyes two weeks ago, but felt the Nittany Lions had
been a little less intensive in practice for the Terrapins. For Tambroni, the key
to success this weekend will be Penn State's ability to once again battle it
out during the week and give 100 percent in the days leading up to Saturday

"I think our guys have done a pretty good job at bouncing
back and getting right back into a good mindset and having a focus for Johns
Hopkins this week," Tambroni said."

As for the Nittany Lions, senior and captain Nick Aponte
said the attack needs to get back to the basics this weekend, focusing on
quality of shots on net and communication on the field.

"We met with our leadership cabinet before [Monday's]
practice and we kind of just said we need to do the simple things, but we've
just got to do it harder," Aponte said. "That's our motto this week and just getting
back to little stuff like ground balls and little details on every single play
we make."

Aponte said that he and his fellow teammates can't simply
save their energy for Saturday. Rather, they need to commit to every practice,
even if it's tiring. He's looking toward every single member of the team, from
starters to reserves, to be dedicated this week in practice before leaving for
Baltimore. Aponte emphasized that this weekend's game will be a team effort.

"Johns Hopkins just lost to Ohio State, so they're going to
have a chip on their shoulder this weekend, we know that," Aponte said. "So we
have to answer their attitude this week and we have to work a little bit
harder. It's always great playing in Homewood, we always have great games when
playing Johns Hopkins the last two years we went to overtime and double
overtime, so we know it's going to be a good game."

Despite knowing the Blue Jays will come into the game
determined to win, for Aponte, the Nittany Lions first and foremost need to
focus on themselves and their game.

"Last week we focused a little too much on the
weekend and weren't focused on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday," Aponte said. "So
we have to focus on Penn State right now, and just preparing ourselves for
Johns Hopkins and bringing everything we've got."